Rear Admiral Robert O. Wray, Jr.

Retired 1 Nov 2013

Rear Admiral Wray graduated from the United States Naval Academy in May 1979, where he was chairman of the Brigade Honor Committee and captain of the Varsity Sailing Team.

After nuclear power school, he spent four years aboard USS Mississippi (CGN 40), completing several Mediterranean and North Atlantic deployments, including duty in Beirut during the 1983 Lebanon crisis. Wray was then assigned as leading engineering officer at the aircraft carrier prototype reactors in Idaho Falls, Idaho. In November 1986 he transitioned to the Navy Reserve.

His subsequent reserve tours included USS Fahrion (FFG 22), Shore Intermediate Maintenance Facility Newport, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command, 6th Fleet, and Readiness Command Northeast. He has commanded five units, and was mobilized to Baghdad in 2004, where he was chief of ops for the operations center coordinating reconstruction.

Wray’s first flag tour was as deputy commander, Military Sealift Command (MSC). With a budget of about $3 billion, MSC operates approximately 110 ships worldwide providing fleet auxiliary ships, prepositioning assets, special missions, and worldwide sealift. In October 2010, he was promoted and assigned to Naples, Italy, as vice commander, U.S. Navy Forces Europe/Africa, and U.S. 6th fleet.

In March 2011, he assumed his current duties.

In his civilian career, Wray has a broad entrepreneurial background, having founded and run companies in manufacturing, construction, services, energy and information technology.

Wray has a master’s degree from the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University. He is a licensed professional engineer, holds a patent, and has written two books. His personal awards include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal.